I picked up some ammo this afternoon for my PC Shield and noticed a warning on the back of the box stating not for use in a ported or compensated barrel. They were Blazer Brass FMJ. A bit of research revealed the likely cause was the thin plating used on the projectile that could shear in the ports. My question is this: what ammo would you recommend for general practice/range use for a ported barrel? What should I look for? Thanks!

Basically any load that uses a gilding metal jacket: S&B, Magtech, Win, Rem, Aguila, IMI etc.

Be careful of some of the following: Fed American Eagle, Speer, CCI, Independence. Watch for those loads in which the bullet has a dull copper color to them and stuff that is labled TMJ (Total Metal Jacket) as most of these loads use copper plated bullets.

You will be fine with any ammunition that is jacketed, being a true cup and core bullet. Speer bullets used in Blazer ammunition is plated, this includes Gold Dot, etc.

__________________
Gunsmithing since 1961

Thank you for the replies and recommendations! Is there anything on the packaging to indicate what jacketing is actually used? (I see some advertise FMJ although they are plated such as the Blazer) or is it just widely known that S&B, Magtech, Win, Rem, Aguila, IMI etc. use guilded jackets? I actually found some Win Ranger fmj and Browning BPT. I'm hoping they are guilded.

Rock,

As long as you stay away from Speer, or any commercially re-loaded ammunition that indicates it is loaded with Speer bullets you should be fine.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Speer products in general, and usually I would not hesitate to recommend their products. The ported barrel issue makes it a slightly unusual situation though. I will say too, that there are many people who have probably fired thousands of rounds of various Speer ammunition through their ported barrels with absolutely no issues!

__________________
Gunsmithing since 1961

Thank you for your thoughts! I believe Aguila and WWB are readily available in my area. I'll give them a try. Thanks again!

Not really sure what or why the precaution; I shoot 2 revolvers with ported barrels and I shoot nothing but hand loads with my hand cast lead bullets. Uncounted thousands of rounds thru both guns, never a problem. Seems to me that relatively soft cast bullets, BHN 10+/-, would strip sooner than a 6 or 10 mil plating. My guns are 44 magnum and 41 Magnum. Please educate me............

Just thought I'd comment on this old post.

Magtech is fine to use with ported barrels.

From Troy at Magtech:

There is no problem using our ammunition in your ported barrel, but please be aware that the ports will generate both significantly more muzzle flash and more critically, serious blast from the barrel directed upwards. This can be an issue if the gun is fired in a close to body defensive manner. It would be best to take care to extend the pistol away from your body, always wear proper eye protection and cant the pistol outboard if a close to body technique is being employed.

Some companies load a plated bullet (vs a true jacketed bullet) in some lower cost products. This thin plating can be shaved by the ports and possibly be directed back at the shooter. I have also heard some concerns with lower pressure ammunition not having sufficient energy to cycle a ported pistol, though I have not experienced issues with any of our ammunition.

Thank you for choosing Magtech. Please let us know if you have any further questions.